Saying Goodbye to Chicago, Part Eleven: Chicago Cultural Center, Vol. 3

Here are the last photos I will post as part of my series on the Chicago Cultural Center. I hope you have enjoyed its beauty as much as I did during my visit. A little confession: I have passed by this building innumerable times and only recently have I bothered to make a visit. Yesterday's visit was only my second; my first visit was a couple of months ago for "Morbid Curiosity: The Richard Harris Collection," which featured skull and skeleton art from around the world. Needless to say, the Southwesterner in me found that art exhibit to be very cool.

Coleridge, too! Chicago Cultural Center, Chicago, IL

Another great master! Chicago Cultural Center, Chicago, IL

Beautiful arches, Chicago Cultural Center, Chicago, IL

Ceiling detail and French and German writers, Chicago Cultural Center, Chicago, IL

Street view of Millennium Park Bandshell, Chicago Cultural Center, Chicago, IL

As you can see, across the street lies Millennium Park, and nearby are the Art Institute of Chicago, the Chicago Architecture Foundation, and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. The Chicago Cultural Center is within walking distance from many of Chicago's other highly prestigious cultural institutions. You can easily "make a day of it."

Saying Goodbye to Chicago, Part Ten: Chicago Cultural Center, Vol. 2

Most of the photos posted here will focus on architectural details found in one of the grand rooms of the Chicago Cultural Center, where the free concert (which was excellent!) took place yesterday. It is a lively, colorful room, thanks largely to the colorful mosaics featured on the walls. The Chicago Cultural Center also has some beautiful glass domes that are part of the ceiling in a couple of rooms. Unfortunately, I didn't care for the results of my attempts to capture them on camera.

I am going to strike a minimalist approach to providing text here, as so many of these photos are self-explanatory. I will write something only if I really feel called to do so. In other words, just enjoy the views!

Mosaic, Chicago Cultural Center, Chicago, IL

The "CPL" found in the mosaic circle here is the logo for the Chicago Public Libraries. In a previous incarnation, the Chicago Cultural Center served as Chicago's central library. Now, the main public library is Harold Washington Library, named after the late Mayor Harold Washington. I hope to get some photos of that library before I go.

Menorah detail, Chicago Cultural Center, Chicago, IL

Of course, as a Jew, I simply must take a photo of the menorah. It is simply beautifully done, and I always feel a sense of pride when my tradition is represented in something built for the general community.

Chaucer, author of The Canterbury Tales, Chicago Cultural Center, Chicago, IL

Spenser, author of The Fairie Queen, Chicago Cultural Center, Chicago, IL

The Great Master himself, only a different spelling, Chicago Cultural Center, Chicago, IL

Above are some of the great literary masters whose names grace the walls of the Chicago Cultural Center. While all three of these are English authors, the Chicago Cultural Center also bears the names of non-Anglophone writers.

Ceiling detail, Chicago Cultural Center, Chicago, IL

Preparing for the concert, Chicago Cultural Center, Chicago, IL

I managed to stay for half of the unanticipated piano concert before hunger drove me to find lunch. Unanticipated on my part, as I kind of stumbled upon this concert when I made my visit. But it is free and held every Wednesday, so next week I might be more intentional in my attendance. This room, by the way, has wonderful acoustics.

Egyptian hieroglyphics, Chicago Cultural Center, Chicago, IL

Hebrew, Chicago Cultural Center, Chicago, IL 

 Of course, I had to take a photo of the Hebrew inscription!

Arabic, Chicago Cultural Center, Chicago, IL

I'm assuming Chinese, Chicago Cultural Center, Chicago, IL

Greek? Chicago Cultural Center, Chicago, IL

Arches, Chicago Cultural Center, Chicago, IL

Which shines more brightly, the ceiling lamp or Wordsworth's name? Chicago Cultural Center, Chicago, IL

I was happy to see some of the Romantic poets recognized on the walls. Coleridge is listed on another mosaic plaque.

A quote from a literary master, Chicago Cultural Center, Chicago, IL

The walls carry quotations by many literary masters. Most of the quotations, if not all of them, make statements about the value of literature or books.

I have one more installment to make for the Chicago Cultural Center. There was just so much to appreciate and, in truth, the photos I post here are just a fraction of the photos I actually took.

Saying Goodbye to Chicago, Part Nine: Chicago Cultural Center, Vol. 1

My walk down Michigan Avenue yesterday culminated in a visit to the Chicago Cultural Center. Opened in 1897 and originally the central Chicago Public Library, the Chicago Cultural Center now serves as an official reception venue for the city of Chicago and offers a series of free art exhibits. On Wednesdays, they also hold a series of free, midday concerts, and yesterday's concert featured a pianist performing works by Liszt, Liadov, and Prokofiev. This architectural masterpiece displays a style that combines the neo-classical with Italian Renaissance accents. It is truly a Chicago treasure, and I fear that might photos might not do justice to its beauty. But I hope that they will.

The main entrance, Chicago Cultural Center, Chicago, IL

Grand staircase, Chicago Cultural Center, Chicago, IL

Entering the Chicago Cultural Center and seeing the grand main staircase and the artistic detail given to the ceiling and walls makes it feel like you have stepped into a time machine and transported to the Gilded Age. It feels like a grand ballroom and you find yourself straining to hear the distant sound of a waltz being performed. 

Upper-level staircase detail, Chicago Cultural Center, Chicago, IL

Attention has been given to everything, even to something as simple as the sides of the upper-level staircase. This colorful display enlivens the grand and serious tone of the Center.

Staircase and ceiling view, Chicago Cultural Center, Chicago, IL

Bannister detail, Chicago Cultural Center, Chicago, IL

This bannister definitely displays Gilded Age affinity for the shining and ornate.

Ornate sconce, Chicago Cultural Center, Chicago, IL

Upper-level staircase, looking downward, Chicago Cultural Center, Chicago, IL

Wall and ceiling detail at entrance of grand room, Chicago Cultural Center, Chicago, IL

Intricate mosaic art provides the Center with an almost Byzantine beauty. The subject matter is often botanical or organic, but also literary, which betrays the Center's previous identity as Chicago's central library. Close-up photos will be provided in the next installment.

Check it out: Chicago Cultural Center